Matthew Poole and continuators on Ezekiel 16:9

9 Then washed I thee with water: yea, I throughly washed away thy blood from thee, and I anointed thee with oil.

Heb. And, this continueth the allegory and declareth what more was done to prepare this Virgin for advancement by this marriage covenant.

It was a very antient custom among those Eastern people, as appears Ruth 3.3. and Esth. 2.12. to purifie Virgins who were to be espoused ere long; and 'tis likely the Prophet alludes to that Exod. 19.10.

The same thing by a very usual figure repeated to confirm and illustrate what is spoken, the word in Heb. notes an abundant washing, a rinsing of what was washt to make it cleaner, it includes a bathing, as Lev. 15.10.

Thy original and birth pollution, which rendred thee displeasing to the eye, and unfit for the familiar and loving entertainment of a Husband.

Not to Royal sovereign dignity, this is exprest by another word in the Heb. but anointed as they that were to be married, as Ruth. 3.3. Esth. 2.12. or as those who were to come into the presence of great and noble personages, as Dan. 10.3. Or as such who would look with chearfuller countenances, and change their sad and mournful deportment, as 2 Sam. 12.20. 'tis not improbable it may allude to the bounty of God toward the Jews in a land flowing with oyl. Spiritually these refer to our cleansing by the Blood of Christ, and by his sanctifying spirit.

Marginal references: Heb. bloods.